Sony And Lego Are Investing $2 Billion In This Popular Gaming Company

Epic Games, creators of the wildly popular video game Fortnite, just got a $2 billion investment. Sony Group Corp. and Kirkbi, the family-owned company behind The Lego Group, will each invest $1 billion in Epic. Headquartered in Cary, N.C., Epic Games was founded by CEO Tim Sweeney in 1991.

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Jesse Eisenberg Reveals He's Donating a Kidney to a Stranger: 'A No-Brainer'

Jesse Eisenberg is known for his quick wit and offbeat film roles — but offscreen, he’s making a quiet, extraordinary decision: donating one of his kidneys to a complete stranger. The 42-year-old actor shared the news during a live appearance on the TODAY show, saying he's scheduled for the procedure in mid-December. “I really am,” he confirmed. “I’m actually donating my kidney in six weeks.” Eisenberg isn’t doing it for a friend or family member. It’s what’s known as an altruistic or non-directed donation — where the kidney goes to someone with advanced kidney disease whom the donor doesn’t know. It’s an act of giving that’s rare, yet critically needed. As of September 2024, nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. were waiting for a kidney transplant. “I don’t know why,” Eisenberg said when asked what motivated him. “I got bitten by the blood donation bug. I’m doing an altruistic donation… I’m so excited to do it.” The Social Network star says he first considered donating a decade ago and even reached out to an organization but never heard back. Recently, after a conversation with a doctor friend, he was connected with NYU Langone Health in New York. The next day, he was in the hospital undergoing evaluation. After a series of tests, he was cleared — and is now scheduled to move forward. "It's essentially risk-free and so needed," Eisenberg told TODAY.com in a follow-up interview. “I think people will realize that it’s a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.” He also explained how a single donation can trigger a chain reaction. In cases where a loved one isn’t a match for a patient, the altruistic donor’s kidney might go to that patient — freeing the loved one to donate to someone else, and so on. “It only works if there is basically an altruistic donor,” he said. To address a common concern — what if a family member later needs a kidney? — Eisenberg said he registered his loved ones through the National Kidney Registry’s family voucher program. That ensures they’d be prioritized for a living kidney donation if needed in the future. “So it’s risk-free for my family, as well,” he said. Eisenberg has long been a committed blood donor, too. “I just have so much blood in me, and I feel like I should spill it,” he joked. But there’s sincerity behind his humor — and a growing track record of putting those instincts into action.

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Woman Finds Biological Father After 35-Year Search, Discovering New Family Bonds

At 35, Sarah Pilkington decided it was finally time to answer the question that had followed her all her life: Who was her biological father? Growing up in Vancouver, Washington, Pilkington had been raised by her mother and stepfather — but never felt a real connection to the man who helped raise her. Her mother had become pregnant at 20 and, by Pilkington’s account, had been uncertain of the father’s identity. That uncertainty eventually faded into the background when she married someone else. But for Pilkington, the gap was always there. “I really pined for his approval,” she said. “When you are made to feel that way in your youth, it heavily impacts the choices you make in relationships of all kinds.” After going through a divorce in 2024 and working to rebuild her self-worth, she felt ready. Surrounded by a supportive community and finally unafraid of what she might find, she ordered an ancestry test in August 2025. “I was always so afraid of being rejected by whoever my father was,” she said. “But I finally felt like I had the wide support to go look for him and handle however it played out.” Within three weeks, the results came in — and so did a breakthrough. She was matched with a close family member: her aunt. Her sister tracked down photos online, and when Pilkington saw them, she said she just knew. Despite having been off Facebook for years, she reactivated her account and messaged the woman who matched. The response came quickly. Her aunt was warm and willing to help. Days later, while Pilkington was traveling for a wedding, she got on the phone with her biological father, Greg Mickles, 55. That call turned into daily conversations. Then, on October 20, Greg and his wife flew from Wildomar, California, to meet Sarah in person. She remembers the moment clearly. “I had my dad. He cried, I cried. We all cried,” she said. “He is honestly a really kind person.” She said the most surprising part wasn’t just how easy it was to find him — it was how right it all felt. “My dad is just like me, or I am like him,” she said. “We are both tender hearts, big softies. He is better than I hoped for.” For years, Pilkington had assumed the worst — that he wouldn’t want to know her, that it would be painful or awkward. But the reality was the opposite. “Boy, was I wrong,” she said. “I have heard of these searches not going anywhere near as smoothly as this did. I did not think I would find him this fast or that it would be this easy.” Now, she's looking forward to spending the holidays with her newly found family and deepening the bond that, until recently, felt out of reach. “I feel a level of peace I cannot quite describe,” she said. Her advice to others considering a similar search? Don’t go it alone. “My family, friends, and partner have helped me get to this place where I felt safe enough to begin this search,” she said. “I think, had I not had their support, it would have taken me a lot longer to get here.”

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Endangered Orca Pod Captured in Stunning Drone Footage by Scientists

Stunning drone footage has revealed a close look at an endangered population of orcas off the coast of Washington state. Footage taken by scientists with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance shows the Southern Resident killer whale pod swimming together in the Salish Sea. At the end of the footage, scientists captured what appeared to be a humpback whale. The orca pod was listed as an endangered population in 2005 by the Endangered Species Act, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, so scientists with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the SeaDoc Society, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, and NOAA monitored the pod throughout September. The SeaDoc Society said that scientists saw a new whale calf swimming with one of the family groups in the pod while they were collecting breath and fecal samples.

Scientists Discover 14 Strange New Species Hidden In The Deep Sea

Only a fraction of life in Earth’s oceans has been officially identified, but a new initiative is helping scientists close that gap — before it’s too late. Despite estimates that our oceans may contain up to two million species, most remain undocumented. One major problem? The delay between discovery and description can last years, even decades. In that time, some species vanish due to human-driven biodiversity loss — before we even knew they existed. To speed things up, researchers launched Ocean Species Discoveries, a streamlined publishing platform focused on marine invertebrates. It’s backed by the Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA), part of the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt. Their goal is simple: make taxonomy faster, more efficient, and more visible. The platform just released its second major batch of research, documenting 14 new species and two new genera from across the globe. Worms, mollusks, crustaceans — all found at depths ranging from just a meter to over 6,000 meters. The team’s findings were published in Biodiversity Data Journal, marking a major milestone one year after the project’s pilot launch. “Our shared vision is making taxonomy faster, more efficient, more accessible and more visible,” the team wrote. To make that possible, the researchers used advanced tools like light and electron microscopy, molecular barcoding, and non-invasive micro-CT scanning. These techniques allow for highly detailed imaging and precise species descriptions — without damaging specimens. One standout discovery is Veleropilina gretchenae, a newly described mollusk pulled from the Aleutian Trench at a depth of 6,465 meters. It’s one of the first mollusks in its class — Monoplacophora — to have its genome sequenced directly from its holotype, or original specimen. Another first: Myonera aleutiana, a carnivorous bivalve found at 5,280 meters — the deepest any species in its genus has been observed. Its internal anatomy was captured entirely through micro-CT scans, producing over 2,000 images and marking just the second time this technique has been used to fully document a bivalve species. In some cases, the new species come with a story. Take Apotectonia senckenbergae, an amphipod named after Johanna Rebecca Senckenberg, an 18th-century naturalist whose legacy helped launch the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research. It was found in the hydrothermal vent fields of the Galápagos Rift, living at a depth of 2,602 meters. Then there’s Zeaione everta, a parasitic isopod discovered in Australia’s intertidal zone. Its raised back structures resemble popped corn kernels — which inspired its name, drawn from Zea, the corn genus. The species is strange enough to warrant its own new genus. Some findings even captured odd deep-sea relationships. A specimen of Laevidentalium wiesei, a tusk shell collected from over 5,000 meters down, was found with a sea anemone attached to its concave side — an interaction never before recorded in this genus. The bigger picture behind these findings is the need to move fast. Without efficient documentation, many species might go extinct without ever being named. The Ocean Species Discoveries project is a clear step toward solving that. By creating a system that supports global collaboration and faster publication, scientists are not just mapping the ocean’s biodiversity — they’re racing to protect it.

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Peoria Opens Historic 1897 Time Capsule, Revealing A Glimpse Into The City’s Past

A long-forgotten piece of Peoria’s past was brought into the spotlight Sunday as city officials and residents opened a time capsule that had been hidden inside City Hall for more than 125 years. The capsule, originally placed in the building’s cornerstone in 1897, was discovered earlier this year during restoration work on the historic façade. It was opened exactly 128 years to the day after it was first sealed. Hundreds of residents packed into the Gateway Building along the Riverfront to watch history unfold in real time. Inside the small copper box, city leaders and historians found newspapers, business cards, handwritten documents, and other 19th-century items that offered a snapshot of daily life in Peoria at the turn of the century. Mayor Rita Ali described the moment as more than just a historical discovery. “Time capsules are more than just containers of artifacts, they’re messages from the past, created by the people who lived here more than a century ago,” Ali said. “Because this capsule belongs to the people of Peoria, it’s only fitting that our community comes together to witness its opening and reflect on how far we’ve come.” The event featured music by the Peoria Municipal Band and reflections from the Peoria Historical Society, Bradley University Special Collections, and the Peoria Riverfront Museum, helping to frame the historical significance of the discovery. The contents of the capsule will now be on public display inside Peoria City Hall during regular business hours. But the event wasn’t just about looking back. City officials also used the opportunity to invite residents to help shape Peoria’s next time capsule, scheduled for 2026. Locals are being asked to write cards about what they love most about their city. Those notes will be sealed into a new capsule next year — a modern message to future Peorians.

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This Boy Just Turned the '6-7' Craze Into a Thriving Business

The phrase “6-7” might not mean much to adults, but for kids in Gen Alpha, it’s become an internet obsession — one that’s now fueling a mini business empire for an 11-year-old in Liverpool. Alfie, with a birthday-gifted 3D printer and some parental support, has started making and selling statues of the mysterious term. What began as a fun project for his friends has quickly grown into something much bigger. His mum, Karlla, said the idea took off after she posted about it on a local Facebook community page. “[The post] went a little bit mad,” she said. “We've had about 40 or 50 orders since I first posted on Wednesday. The first day, every couple of minutes there was an order.” “67” — pronounced “six-seven” — was recently named Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year for 2025. It first gained traction through a track by US rapper Skrilla called Doot Doot (67), but its meaning is still unclear. Some say it signals indecision or a “maybe this, maybe that” kind of vibe. Others just think it sounds cool. For Alfie and his classmates, that ambiguity only adds to the appeal. The phrase has taken on a life of its own online, evolving into a meme, a catchphrase, and now, in Alfie’s case, a money-making opportunity. “It's become a bit of a running joke in the house,” Karlla said. “I’ve spoken to loads of parents and there’s heaps of comments on the Facebook posts saying ‘what does it mean?’” Whatever it means, it’s working. Orders keep rolling in, and Alfie is “over the moon” with the response. He’s fulfilling the requests from his home using his 3D printer — a gift that’s now paying for itself. Karlla said the whole thing has been “a nice wholesome way” for her son to earn a bit of pocket money. “And it keeps him off YouTube for a little bit,” she added.

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Jazz Singer Regains Voice Through Care Home Music Sessions

At 76, Susan Sansby never thought she'd sing again. The former professional jazz singer, who once performed alongside George Melly and graced the stage at Ronnie Scott's in Soho, had all but given up after pneumonia damaged her lungs. But now, inside a care home in Essex, her voice is beginning to return. "I'm ever so pleased," Sansby said. "I can see the day when I can stand up and sing a song again." Sansby, a resident at Woodland Grove care home in Loughton, spent more than two decades in the music scene. Her career picked up unexpectedly when she was working as an administrator at a care home and began singing for the residents. "Then people asked me to sing in hospices and to elderly people," she said. From there, she ran singing sessions for people with dementia, mental health challenges, and performed with her band at pubs and weddings. "I loved it," she said. That all came to a halt after she fell ill and was diagnosed with pneumonia, a respiratory infection that left lasting damage to her lungs. “I thought my singing days were over,” she said. But then came Edmund Jeffrey. A trained musician with a decade of experience working with Asthma + Lung UK, Jeffrey now leads the Singing for Lung Health programme at Woodland Grove. What sounds like a singalong is actually a targeted breathing exercise programme with a soundtrack. “If this programme was described as a ‘respiratory health clinic’, I doubt if as many people would come,” Jeffrey said. “But who doesn’t like to sing?” The sessions include folk songs from Native American and African traditions, as well as familiar classics. But the real focus is on breath control. The songs are chosen specifically for their phrasing, which forces residents to regulate their breathing and gradually build strength and stamina. "We've already seen significant improvements in the length of phrases residents can sing and they've become much more confident," he said. "At first they were quite shy to make the noises and movements we do in the vocal exercises, but they're so much more forthcoming now." Jeffrey also works on changing what he calls “bad habits” — from reducing shoulder tension to improving posture — all aimed at helping participants breathe more efficiently. That’s especially helpful for residents with COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a condition that restricts airflow and makes breathing difficult. “While we can’t improve their lung capacity, we can make the best of what they have,” he said. “Singing’s a great way to do it.” Sansby credits the sessions for helping bring her voice back. “Since coming here, Edmund has been working with me and my voice has started to come back,” she said. For someone who once thought she’d never sing again, that’s more than a recovery. It’s a comeback.

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A Toronto Couple Gives Their Beloved Dog One Last Joyful Day Before Saying Goodbye

For 15 years, Coeli Fortun’s life revolved around her shih tzu, Manolo. From their first meeting in Manila, when she was just 14, to their last walk through a Toronto park on October 2, 2025, the bond between them never wavered. Now 29 and living in Canada with her longtime partner Sean, Fortun tells PEOPLE that Manolo was “goofy and silly, with his tongue always sticking out, and he had a way of making everyone around him smile.” He wasn’t even supposed to be adopted. At the shelter, Manolo had partial blindness in one eye and wasn’t up for rehoming. But something clicked. “To this day, I swear I heard Happy Together by The Turtles playing in my head when we locked eyes,” she says. Years later, Fortun moved to Canada with Sean to pursue post-grad studies. Bringing Manolo — along with Snuffles, their 20-year-old cat — wasn’t a question. They became a family of four. But early in 2025, something changed. “My partner and I were asleep when Manolo suddenly began screaming,” Fortun recalls. The couple initially thought it was a spinal issue — common in shih tzus — but tests came back normal. The diagnosis was far harder: early-stage canine dementia. They tried everything. Supplements. Pain medication. Massage. Stroller walks. Friends came by with treats. They even tested three different wheelchairs to help him regain mobility. “He started getting a bit stronger,” she says. “Every extra day felt like a gift.” But the victories were short-lived. Manolo lost his sight and hearing. His back legs weakened. Eventually, he developed degenerative myelopathy — a disease that slowly robs dogs of their ability to walk and control movement. And the cries became more frequent and intense. “His spirit remained so strong, but his body was failing him,” Fortun explains. “What began as nightly sundowning from dementia and daytime screams of frustration eventually became constant cries of pain and anxiety all throughout the day.” After months of sleepless nights, vet visits, and small moments of joy, the couple faced the reality they had been trying to postpone. A quality-of-life assessment confirmed what they feared: Manolo wasn’t living for himself anymore. He was living for them. “That was the worst part,” Fortun says. “Watching such a happy, vibrant dog who loved using his legs, who loved seeing us, who loved hearing us call out for him, who loved playing with us… decline so quickly.” For his final week, they gave him everything. Sunset viewings. Favorite treats. Car rides across the city to visit friends, family, and everyone who had played a role in his care — from vets to photographers. “Everyone cried,” she remembers. “But all noticed the same thing too. Manolo seemed peaceful for the first time in a very long while.” On his last day, they took him to his favorite park. They brought a sign that read: “It’s our dog’s last day. Give us some advice and him a treat (we brought lots).” Some strangers walked by without saying anything. But others stopped. “They hugged us, shared advice, talked about their own dogs that they lost or had to put down, and reassured us that Manolo would be welcomed in heaven by their furry companions,” Fortun says. Just a few months earlier, they had said goodbye to Snuffles, who passed away from cancer. Losing Manolo so soon after felt like losing the last piece of home. To hold on to his memory, they made a paw cast and saved locks of fur. They created small memorials for both Manolo and Snuffles — tokens of a life filled with unconditional love. Now, Fortun is using her grief to help others. On Instagram, through her account @chellyshoots, she’s raising awareness about canine dementia and senior pet care. She’s also offering what she calls a “safe space” for people to talk openly about the grief that often goes unspoken. “Community is everything in a time that can feel so isolating,” she says. “Talk about it openly. Don’t sweep it under the rug. Talk with your family, hold your pets, observe their behaviors, listen to them and keep your hearts and minds open.”

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This 66-Year-Old Just Completed 200 Marathons in 200 Days Around the British Coastline

At 66, most people are winding down. Steve James laced up. The retired banker from Dartmoor just completed 200 marathons in 200 consecutive days, running more than 5,240 miles (8,433 km) around the British coastline. He set off from Topsham, Devon in April — and returned there on Saturday, seven months and seven pairs of trainers later, to cross the finish line. “I haven’t had a day off in seven months,” James said. “So I’m quite looking forward to the prospect of a lie-in and not having to complete 26 miles tomorrow.” Despite enduring blisters, brutal weather, and even a gout flare-up that landed him in the emergency department, James finished the challenge injury-free. Along the way, he also hit a few milestones: “I’ve survived Storm Floris and Storm Amy, been through seven pairs of trainers, become a state pensioner, and climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest ten times,” he said. James, who trained on the rugged terrain of Dartmoor, documented his journey on social media. But the project wasn’t just a personal feat — it also became a scientific study. Throughout the challenge, researchers at the University of Exeter monitored the toll on his body. James regularly submitted blood samples and body composition data to help scientists understand how the human body copes with extreme, sustained endurance. Dr. Freyja Haigh, a nutritional physiology researcher on the project, said the results so far are encouraging. “The body measurement changes suggest that Steve’s weight loss is a result of fat rather than muscle, which is a positive result to see after such a long time in an energy deficit,” she said. They’re still waiting to bring him back into the lab for full post-challenge testing, but Haigh said his performance has already provided “valuable knowledge about the body’s ability to cope with the demands of such extreme endurance.” James hopes others take something from his journey. “It’s just shown me that you’re never too old to take on something huge,” he said. “You’ve just got to start and keep going.”

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Couple Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary on Same Stage Where They First Met

Two decades after meeting as last-minute leads in a pantomime production, Helen and Graham Tudor have returned to the very stage where their love story began. The couple met in 2005 at Theatre Royal Plymouth during a production of Jack and the Beanstalk, stepping into the lead roles of Jack and Princess Apricot after unexpected cast changes. Neither had originally been scheduled to appear in the show, but fate — and a casting call — brought them together on stage. One year later, Graham proposed to Helen on Plymouth Hoe. Now married with children, the Tudors recently marked their 20th anniversary by visiting the Theatre Royal once again. “Once we were stood in the theatre it didn't feel like 20 years had passed at all,” said Helen. “It was a full circle moment.” “Little did we know that when we left Plymouth in January 2006 we were beginning our future journey together,” she added. “It meant the world to us to introduce our children to the place it all began.” Theatre staff welcomed the family back with a behind-the-scenes tour and a chance to revisit the stage that had such a lasting impact on their lives. A spokesperson for the theatre said the couple took time to reflect on how much the venue — and that unexpected performance — shaped their story.

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